Whiplash injuries are caused by hyperextension of the neck both forwards and backwards in quick succession; people commonly experience whiplash injuries in circumstances where a collision causes rapid acceleration or deceleration. Often this is as a result of a road traffic accident, but in some contact sports people are susceptible to whiplash injuries.

Whiplash injury symptoms include the following;

· Neck pain/stiffness

· Shoulder pain/stiffness

· Lower back pain/stiffness

· Headaches

· Tingling/numbness in arms/hands/fingers

· Dizziness

· Fatigue

· Blurred vision

· Insomnia

· Concentration problems/short term memory loss

Symptoms can be experienced for a number of weeks after the accident, but your GP should be consulted immediately, to rule out any serious damage. Diagnosis is difficult since doctors cannot use MRI scans, X rays or CAT scans to determine the extent of the injuries, instead having to make a judgement based on the patient's description of their symptoms. Immediately after the injury victims should apply some form of ice pack, to help reduce the chance of swelling around the affected area. The best way to treat a whiplash injury is not to wear a neck brace; in fact patients are actively encouraged to follow their normal routines as much as possible, to prevent the neck muscles and surrounding area from stiffening up even further. Obviously, painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are often prescribed to relieve the pain of the symptoms, but otherwise treatment is very straightforward. Neck braces are nowadays only ever used in extreme circumstances, as they are considered restrictive to the recuperation process.

If you are unfortunate enough to have suffered a whiplash injury, either on the road or on the sports field, you may be entitled to a no win, no fee, compensation claim - provided it can be proved that someone else was at least partly to blame. You will also be able to take advantage of a free first consultation, where your case will be assessed on a no obligation basis, to make sure both parties are happy to take the case forward. A no win, no fee claim is advantageous to the client because it means that you get to keep every penny of the compensation you are awarded - your lawyer will collect their court fees and legal costs from the defending party.

It is very important to make sure you shop around for the best company, as there are many accident lawyers around who will all offer no win, no fee claims. The key is to work with one who also offers a wealth of experience, and can show you legitimate testimonies from people who have achieved success with them in the past. If you have been involved in an accident which you think you are entitled to claim on, then get in touch with the lawyers at Accident Consult, a trustworthy company who will handle your claim in an honest and efficient manner, which is why they are the first choice for thousands of accident victims every year.

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